5 Times that EVERYONE Was Looking At Tennessee (In the Last 5 Years)

Tennessee is known as a pretty keep-to-itself kind of state, one that’s not going to cause too much trouble or pop up on your news feed all that often. But in the last couple of years its made national news a handful of times, each moment more interesting and weather-crazed than the last.

This year, Tennessee was hit pretty hard on the snow front. It may not be the same amount northerners are used to, but it caused state government to declare a level 2 state of emergency and left 50,000 people without power. This translates to a, "major disaster" that has exceeded the ability of local government efforts to combat the effects of the storm. Yikes. We hope all you Tennesseans stayed safe and warm during that frigid February! The rest of the nation was rooting for you.

Two days of intense rains left 21 people dead and caused $2.3 billion dollars in damages. The severe storms flooded Music City, leaving it structurally devastated and closing schools for more than a week. Road damage was significant enough to cause the entire country to take notice. Known as a, "1000 Year Storm," this one was definitely one for the books.

Tornadoes aren't all that common in the good 'ol Rocky Top, but in March of 2012 there was a severe weather alert that caught the eye of national news. The Good Friday tornado that ripped through Murfreesboro in April of 2009 also found itself splashed across the front pages.

This was a pretty dang big deal. The New York Times recognized Nashville as the new "It City", beating out Austin and Portland for its versatility, solid creative base, and traditional roots. Once it was printed, the whole country turned and looked - all at the same time.

Just this week (!!!) a Knoxville Subway franchise installed a security system that actually SPRAYS DNA on robbers marking them with DNA. You'll be able to see the spray by black-light, and we think it's kind of intense. Intensely cool that is!

Alright, we see you Tennessee – we see you. What do you think, everyone? Do you remember these nationally influential events? Are you surprised by any of them? Let us know what you think in the comments below!